October 19, 2010

If you're mad at council, act

I get that some folks in Lansing think Councilmembers Brian Jeffries, Eric Hewitt, Derrick Quinney and Carol Wood are wrong, or worse, on incentives for Market Place and the Armory project. What I don’t get is all the hand-wringing at council meetings and on our website.

If Lansing really doesn’t like what Jeffries & Co. have done, it should act. Michigan residents are lucky in that they have the ability to recall most public officials. So, if this treatment of Pat Gillespie is truly a tragedy, etc., do something about it.

I’m not a fan of incentive deals — as LEDC head Bob Trezise will tell you with a shake of his head. I don’t think the council is in any position to expertly judge the proposals in front of it. And once you start handing out help, it’s hard to stop.

I also wonder if Gillespie can really create an “urban village” at Market Place. I hope he can; I’m just not sure the market is there yet.

I don’t begrudge Jeffries and Co. from doing what they perceive to be in their best interests. There’s a method to their opposition. I don’t agree with it, but they won the votes and the seats and they’re using them.

If city voters don’t like that, they should move to remove them forthwith. Please don’t bore us all with testimonials and concerns and frustrations. In politics, you keep score.

And, for those so interested, the state’s briefing on recall procedures is here. City Clerk Chris Swope tells me that the earliest a recall election can be held would be in May.

So, there’s a path to take. It’s not an easy one. But this political standoff really is that big a deal for the city’s future ... right?

Comments

If you're mad at council, act

I get that some folks in Lansing think Councilmembers Brian Jeffries, Eric Hewitt, Derrick Quinney and Carol Wood are wrong, or worse, on incentives for Market Place and the Armory project. What I don’t get is all the hand-wringing at council meetings and on our website.

If Lansing really doesn’t like what Jeffries & Co. have done, it should act. Michigan residents are lucky in that they have the ability to recall most public officials. So, if this treatment of Pat Gillespie is truly a tragedy, etc., do something about it.

I’m not a fan of incentive deals — as LEDC head Bob Trezise will tell you with a shake of his head. I don’t think the council is in any position to expertly judge the proposals in front of it. And once you start handing out help, it’s hard to stop.

I also wonder if Gillespie can really create an “urban village” at Market Place. I hope he can; I’m just not sure the market is there yet.

I don’t begrudge Jeffries and Co. from doing what they perceive to be in their best interests. There’s a method to their opposition. I don’t agree with it, but they won the votes and the seats and they’re using them.

If city voters don’t like that, they should move to remove them forthwith. Please don’t bore us all with testimonials and concerns and frustrations. In politics, you keep score.

And, for those so interested, the state’s briefing on recall procedures is here. City Clerk Chris Swope tells me that the earliest a recall election can be held would be in May.

So, there’s a path to take. It’s not an easy one. But this political standoff really is that big a deal for the city’s future ... right?

About the author

Derek Melot, ColumnistDerek Melot has been a columnist and assistant editorial page editor at the Lansing State Journal since 1999.Email me at: dmelot@lsj.com

The premise of "Just Asking" is just that: Asking questions and raising points of information to help mid-Michigan residents better understand, and better lead, their public servants and public institutions.